The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-01

at Is time for dinner, Camille said the
gentleman again In a savage voice. This time
She lifted her head and looked at him.
"Din-nare, dinnare, quest que cest que din
narei"
"Tablc dhote,n said The gentleman.
aOh, pardon,r and with a little bow and
most fascinating smile 10 Ernest, she took
the gentleman's extended arm and sallied
away,
"Why did you pretend not 10 understand
men Ernest heard him ask and saw her
shrug her shoulders in reply. The other gen.
tleman followed with his companion and after
him came Ernest When he reached the
salle-a-manger he found that the only chair
vacant at the table was the one next to his
friend of the salon. Indeed, had he thought
of it, it might have struck him that madame
had contrived to keep that chair vacant, for
on his approach she gathered together the
folds of her silk dress, which had almost
hidden it, and welcomed him with a little nod.
Ernest took the chair, and forthwith mad
nme entered into most lively conversation
with him, a course of proceeding that ap-
pearel to be extremely dstasteful to the gem
tleman on her right, who pished and pshawed
and pushed away his plate in a manner that
soon became quite noticeable. But madame
talked seroneiy on, quite careless of his antics,
till Mt last he whispered something to her
that caused the blood to mount TO her fair
cheek.
"Mais tais-toi doncn Ernest heard her an
swer, and the next moment-the subsequent
history Of our hero demands that the truth
should be told-it was his turn to color, for,
alas there was no doubt about it, be distinctly
felt madamos little foot pressed upon his
own. He took up his wine and drank little
to hide his confusion, but whether he had or
bod NOT tho moral COURAGE IN Withdraw from
the situation by placing his toes under the
more chilly but safe guardianship OF the
chair legs, history saith not; let us hope and
presume that he had. But If this was so or
no, he did not get ON very well with his din
ner, for the situation was novel and not con-
ducive to appetite. Presently Mr.. Aston,
who was sitting opposite, addressed him
across the table
care you going to the assembly rooms here
tonight, Mr.. Kershawp
To Ernest's surprise the gentleman on the
other side of madame answered with an as
tonished look:
ayes, am going"
"I beg your pardon" said Mr.. Aston, IL
was speaking to the gentleman on your leftn
"Oh, indeed, l thought you said kershawl"
"Yes ! did; the gentleman's name Is Ker-
shaw, thinkp
"Yes," put in Ernest, "my name is Ker-
shaw"
"That is odd," said the other gentleman,
$50 is mine. I did not know that there were
any other Kershaws"
"Nor did L. answered Ernest, except Sir
Hugh Kershaw," and his face darkened as he
pronounced the name.
II am Sir Hugh Kershaws son; my name
is Hugh kershaw," was the reply.
"Indeedl Then we are cousins, suppose,
Gov I lam his npnhnyy tha of his hrnthar
Ernest"
Hugh Kershaw, the elder, did not receive
this intelligence with even the moderate
amount Of enthusiasm that might have been
expected lie simply lifted his scanty eye
brows and said, "Oh, l remember, my uncle
left SOM then he turned and made soms
remark to the gentleman who sat next him
that made the latter laugh.
Ernest felt the blood rise to his cheeks;
there was something very insolent about his
Cousins tones.
Shortly afterward the dinner came to an
end, and madame, with another fascinating
| smile retired. As for Ernest, he smoked q
| pipe with Mr. Aston, and about o o'clock
stroled over with him to the Assembly
Rooms or Casino, building largely COM
| posed of glass, where thrice week during
the season, the visitors at Dieppe adjourned
to dance, hirt and make merry.
One of the first sights that caught his eye
| was a fair creature in evening dress, and with
| conspicuously white shoulders, in whom he
recognized madame She was sitting near
the door, and appeared to be watching it.
Ernest bowed to her, and was about to pass
on; but, pursuing her former tactics, she
dropped the bouquet she was carrying. He
stopped, picked it up, returned it, and again
made as though he would pass on, when she
| addressed him, just as the band struck up.
"Ah, que c'est belle Ia musique! Monsieur
| valse, nest ce past"
In another minute they were floating down
the room together AS they passed along,
Ernest saw his cousin standing in the corner
looking at him with no amiable air. Madame
saw his glance.
"Ah," she said, "Monsieur Hugh ne valse
pas, il Sc grise; il Fair jaloux, nest ce pasf'
Ernest danced three times with this fair en-
SLAYER, and with their last waltz the ball
came to an end. Just then his cousin came
up, and they all, including Mr.. Aston,
walked together down the street, which was
now quite deserted to the door of the hotel
Here Ernest said good night to madame, who
extended her hand. He took it, and as he did
so he felt note slipped into it, which, not
being accustomed to such transactions, he
clumsiy dropped. 1t was the ball pro
gramme, and there was something writer
across it in pencil. Unfortunately, he wa.
not the only one who saw this; his cousir
Hugh, who had evidently been drinking saw
it too, and tried to pick up the programme
but Ernest was too quick for him.
"Give me that" said his cousin, hoarsely.
Ernest answered by putting it into hi
pocket.
"What is written on that programmed
gI don't lynOw.u
"What have you written on that pro
gramme, Camille"
"Mon Dieu, mais vCus m'ennuyezw was tn
answer.
"I insist upon your giving me that" witt
an oath.
"Monseur est gentleman Monsieur ne i
rendra pas" said madame, with a meaning
glance, and then turning, she entered tn
hotel.
al am not going to give it to YOU" sal
Ernest.
"You shall give it to me-"
as this lady your wifel" asked Ernest.
"That is my affair; give me that note"
II shall not give it to you," said Ernest
whose temper was rapidly rising II don
know what was on it, and | don't wish t
know but whatever it is, the lady gave it
me, and not to you She is not your wifi,
and You haze no right to ask for it.n
His cousin Hugh turned livid with fury
At the best of times he was an evil tempere
man, and now, inflamed as he was by drin
and jealousy, he looked perfect fiend.
ID you'll" he hissed, "you half bred cui
l suppose that you get your - manner
from your - Of a motherW
He did not get any further, for at tn
point Ernest knocked him into the quite
and then stood over him, very quiet and pal
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